Skoda’s car sales increased in 2009

Although the automotive market had a difficult year in 2009 because of the global economic crisis, Skoda still managed to achieve a sales record. Comparing with 2008 the Czech brand sold 684.226 units, rising 1.4%.

With sales rising 106.7% in 2009, the Chinese market was the great responsible for the increased sales, with 122.556 units delivered. Skoda also achieved record sales in Germany, with an increase in sales of 44.3%, with 162.328 units sold with a help from the government’s “scprappage program”.

“Chairman of the Škoda Auto Board of Directors, Reinhard Jung said, “The Škoda brand managed to achieve a good result in the crisis year of 2009. Thanks to sales successes in Germany and China, we managed to achieve a further sales record.

Octavia was Skoda’s best-selling model in 2009. The sales rose 2.4% to a total of 273.590 units. Fabia was the second model of the list with 264.173 cars sold, increasing 7.1%. The biggest growth in sales came from the Superb that sold more 73.7% than in 2008, with a total of 44.548 units delivered. After being introduced in Skoda’s range in September the Yeti got off with a good start, selling 11.018 units in the first three months.

In terms of financial results Skoda Auto group saw its revenues fall by 6.2% to CZK 187.9bn (around £6.6bn) influenced by the continuing global economic and financial crisis. Nevertheless, the Group achieved an increase in operating cash flow of more than 100%.

“At the start of 2010 we comprehensively renewed our class of compact cars in the form of the Fabia and Roomster models. We were hereby responding to an increased demand for compact cars with low consumption. The Fabia RS, Fabia Combi RS and Fabia Scout models are new in the compact car programme. Škoda now has a very modern and attractive product range.  This entitles us to look to 2010 with optimism”, said Reinhard Jung.